G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to one-and-done route

#1      

sbillini

sbillini
st petersburg, fl
sbillini
Well, looks like all our theorizing and debating is about to be tested. $125k + (more importantly) full time focus on bball + endoresements/agents = seems like a good deal to me for high level players. Should be interesting...

As part of a newly formed "professional path" starting in the summer of 2019, the G League will offer "Select Contracts" worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft. It will target recent or would-be high school graduates who otherwise would have likely spent just one season playing college basketball, enticing them not only with a six-figure salary but also the opportunity to benefit from NBA infrastructure, as well as a bevy of off-court development programs "geared towards facilitating and accelerating their transition to the pro game," Turner said.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
 
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#2      

IlliniBrave75

IlliniBrave75
IlliniBrave75
G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
 
#3      

drewillini89

D
drewillini89
IlliniBrave75 said:
This is article is linked on the FBI investigation forum, but it will affect recruiting as well!

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...
I love this. Get the kids that want money to go to the G League right away. Offering that legal route is the best alternative to just saying "No, you can't take money from Adidas!" and "No, you can't offer extra incentives to get Brian Bowen to come to Louisville!".
 
#4      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
IlliniBrave75 said:
This is article is linked on the FBI investigation forum, but it will affect recruiting as well!

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...

That is a wonderful development. This whole situation is an economic one. There was a massive economic incentive to cheat. If there is now a completely legal means of obtaining the same economic benefits, it will cut down on the illicit behavior.
 
#5      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
sacraig said:
That is a wonderful development. This whole situation is an economic one. There was a massive economic incentive to cheat. If there is now a completely legal means of obtaining the same economic benefits, it will cut down on the illicit behavior.
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Yeah its a move that will benefit everyone involved. Peanuts for the NBA to essentially get even better scouting on what will most likely be a max of 15 kids a year, kids get a legal way to make some serious change as an 18 y.o., and college basketball will more than likely get cleaner (though you could argue if the top players were getting bribes, the bribes would just shift to lesser talented guys).

Honestly this is the exact type of move that had to be made. It wont really hurt CBB and it gives guys who deserve it cash.
 
#6      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
Deleted member 29907
IlliniBrave75 said:
This is article is linked on the FBI investigation forum, but it will affect recruiting as well!

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...
Dang, just when we started focusing on one and dones (ones and done?)....
 
#7      

Newman

N
Newman
IlliniBrave75 said:
This is article is linked on the FBI investigation forum, but it will affect recruiting as well!

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...
I'm sure this will help, but this could just shift the targets being offered the illegal incentives. Either way, I think it's a good move.
 
#8      

Ga65

G
Ga65
#9      

infamous

I
infamous
IlliniBrave75 said:
This is article is linked on the FBI investigation forum, but it will affect recruiting as well!

G League to offer $125K to elite prospects as alternative to college one-and-done route

Seven of the top 10 high school players in the 2019 ESPN 100 remain uncommitted to college programs, and the G League landing any of them could have huge ramifications -- for future paths to the draft for star players, the popularity of the NBA's development league and the college basketball talent pool.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...
Should have a farm league just like baseball. Most if not allof the top players dont wanna go to school or dont do any school when they go. Wont kill all the cheating but will help. Plus it will make playing field a lil bit better
 
#11      

Elgin7680

E
Elgin7680
What do you think will the be percentage of 5 star high school seniors that will go to the G league ?
 
#13      

WizardBill

WizardBill
WizardBill
infamous said:
Should have a farm league just like baseball. Most if not allof the top players dont wanna go to school or dont do any school when they go. Wont kill all the cheating but will help. Plus it will make playing field a lil bit better
Click to expand...

This would wreck college basketball. Who watches college baseball?
 
#14      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
Elgin7680 said:
What do you think will the be percentage of 5 star high school seniors that will go to the G league ?
Click to expand...

Very small, G-league has no audience and little exposure. The ones who may be tempted are the ones who absolutely can't tolerate college, even for one year.
 
#15      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
WizardBill said:
This would wreck college basketball. Who watches college baseball?
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Dynamics are very different, college baseball does not have a following, college basketball has a huge following and it is a big business. Fans will not leave NCAA just to watch a few 5* players. Most of the interest in 5* players is because of college recruiting.
 
#16      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
Obelix said:
Dynamics are very different, college baseball does not have a following, college basketball has a huge following and it is a big business. Fans will not leave NCAA just to watch a few 5* players. Most of the interest in 5* players is because of college recruiting.
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Fans aside, this won't have the impact on basketball like it does on baseball just by the number of roster spots needed for an NBA development. We are looking at each NBA team having a developmental squad of 12 guys? And not all of them will be fresh out of HS or leave early from college. An MLB farm system can have upwards of 200 players in it. And that's just 1 team. Plenty of talent to go around for both the NCAA and G League should this happen.
 
#18      

dbeverly26

dbeverly26
dbeverly26
TheGMan said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1052955345117536256
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He's probably right in the short term, but even though the G league has been around for 15 years or so it's nowhere near a finished product. They spent the first ten years with mixed rosters and teams constantly relocating, and only over the past three years or so have the finally linked teams directly to NBA franchises. Within the next three to five years, I think you'll see the last major wave of relocation and an expansion to a full 30 team slate. With teams located near their NBA counterparts, some stability, and rosters of kids who will be controlled by the teams, it'll become a much more compelling product.

Will it compete with major college basketball? Probably not. But the nature of the league is going to keep evolving and it will become more attractive to potential college players (especially if the money is there).
 
#19      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
dbeverly26 said:
He's probably right in the short term, but even though the G league has been around for 15 years or so it's nowhere near a finished product. They spent the first ten years with mixed rosters and teams constantly relocating, and only over the past three years or so have the finally linked teams directly to NBA franchises. Within the next three to five years, I think you'll see the last major wave of relocation and an expansion to a full 30 team slate. With teams located near their NBA counterparts, some stability, and rosters of kids who will be controlled by the teams, it'll become a much more compelling product.

Will it compete with major college basketball? Probably not. But the nature of the league is going to keep evolving and it will become more attractive to potential college players (especially if the money is there).
Click to expand...
If i had to guess, the G league signing players for a year only to have them go into the NBA draft will only last as long as the 1 and done rule remains. Like you said, soon every NBA team will have a linked G league team, and eventually control that roster.
 
#20      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
sbillini said:
Well, looks like all our theorizing and debating is about to be tested. $125k + (more importantly) full time focus on bball + endoresements/agents = seems like a good deal to me for high level players. Should be interesting...

As part of a newly formed "professional path" starting in the summer of 2019, the G League will offer "Select Contracts" worth $125,000 to elite prospects who are at least 18 years old but not yet eligible for the NBA draft. It will target recent or would-be high school graduates who otherwise would have likely spent just one season playing college basketball, enticing them not only with a six-figure salary but also the opportunity to benefit from NBA infrastructure, as well as a bevy of off-court development programs "geared towards facilitating and accelerating their transition to the pro game," Turner said.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-prospects-not-wanting-go-one-done-route-ncaa
Click to expand...

Similar to baseball, in that high school grads can sign a pro contract right out of school or go to college. If they choose college, I believe they have to stay three years. Makes recruiting problematic. If you recruit the top high school players they might get drafted and choose to go pro rather than attend college.
 
#21      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
dbeverly26 said:
... and only over the past three years or so have the finally linked teams directly to NBA franchises.
Click to expand...

Just a minor correction, this is a little different. The G-league teams (aka NBDL teams) were always associated with the NBA and had multiple direct affiliations with NBA teams. Just that 2009, they started single-affiliation partnerships (starting with Houston Rockets/ Rio Grande Valley Vipers). Most of the single-team direct affiliations have been in existence for quite a few years. Just that by 2015, there were no team unaffiliated with an NBA franchise, but single team affiliation have been in existence and taking place for almost 10 years.

I think the issue as with previous efforts, even with NBA-caliber stars such as the ABA, has been creating an audience. To have an audience, G-league has to take away from NCAA, which IMO is extremely difficult. The same was the case with football, USFL failed. Would NCAA fans go watch G-league because of some 5* players? Unless they are Lebron caliber players, most would not be attracted to the G-league.
 
#22      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
TheGMan said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1052955345117536256
Click to expand...

There's some truth to that, but you also have to consider that the G League will grow in stature if it attracts more star power.

Also consider that the shoe companies can and will still pay these kids. Only now, it won't be to join a specific team, but will follow the same model as any other properties player. Stars get paid to rep the brand. In theory, these kids could get their $125,000 from the G League, plus a salary, plus the same $100,000 that Adidas was going to give them anyway. That's a powerful economic incentive and might make up for the lower glitz level of the G League compared to the NCAA.
 
#23      

Dbell1981

D
Decatur, IL
Dbell1981
Yeah but how many cozy jobs can the G league offer the parents of potential prospects? Parents want their piece of the pie too. Probably more often than the kid.
 
#24      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
Obelix said:
I think the issue as with previous efforts, even with NBA-caliber stars such as the ABA, has been creating an audience. To have an audience, G-league has to take away from NCAA, which IMO is extremely difficult. The same was the case with football, USFL failed. Would NCAA fans go watch G-league because of some 5* players? Unless they are Lebron caliber players, most would not be attracted to the G-league.
Click to expand...
I will disagree with the last part in that the ABA, USFL were in direct competition with the NBA and the NFL. The G League isn't trying to compete with the NBA or the NCAA for fans. Minor Leagues franchises that are successful are a source of entertainment that is affordable for the community they are in, while the parent team is only concerned with the development of players. This is also why the G League teams are close to home to the NBA squad. It helps with players on 2-way deals moving up and down, but also for fans that can't afford to take a family of 5 to a Bulls game, go out to the burbs and watch the Windy City Bulls game. The only direct competition the G league will have with college ball is the select top recruits that will consider money over school for a 1 year window.
 
#25      

illiniCA

illiniCA
DC Area
illiniCA
If the g league wants players they need to offer 125k to average players not elite players